Meet the Guys Challenging Extreme Masculinity and Looksmaxxing Craze

On social media, there is a growing trend of masculinity influencers who tell young men how to become more masculine. These influencers often share advice about working out, eating certain foods, and even changing their appearance to fit a very specific idea of what it means to be a man. They use terms like 'mogging' to mean looking better than other men, and 'ascending' to mean improving your looks. The influencers say that having a chiseled jaw and big muscles is the most important thing for men. This trend is not just a small group online. Research shows that almost two-thirds of young men aged 16 to 25 in the UK, US, and Australia regularly watch or read content from masculinity influencers. Some of these influencers have millions of followers, and their advice reaches a lot of people. However, there is now a group of men who are pushing back against these extreme trends. These men are doctors, nutritionists, and health experts who use their own social media platforms to talk about the dangers of some of these ideas. Dr Michael Mrozinski, a sports doctor, noticed that the trend of 'looksmaxxing'—trying to maximize your looks—was becoming more popular. He warns his followers about the risks of trying to change your face by hitting it with a hammer, which can cause serious injuries like bruising and bleeding. Dr Mrozinski says that what started as simple gym routines has turned into something much more dangerous. He compares it to a monster that has grown out of control. One of the most popular influencers, who calls himself Clavicular, has talked about using drugs and even hitting his face to look better. He has hundreds of thousands of followers, and his videos are watched by many young men. Even though some search terms are banned on TikTok, young men still look for tips on how to change their looks, with millions of searches happening every month. Some of the boys watching these videos are as young as 13, and their bodies are still developing. James Brash, a registered nutritionist, is another expert who is fighting back against misinformation. He says that being active and eating healthy is good, but some influencers give advice that is not based on science. He does not call himself an influencer because he follows professional medical standards. James spends his time making videos that correct false information about nutrition and fitness. He also points out that some influencers say men today are weaker than men in the past, which he believes is not true and can be harmful. Some influencers focus on strict routines and say that society is making men weaker, but James and others want to show that there are many ways to be a man. Ben Hurst works for Beyond Equality, a group that talks to young men about different ways to be masculine. He believes that the internet should be a place where all kinds of masculinity are shown, not just one narrow idea. Ben wants to see men who are caring, kind, and strong in different ways. He mentions people like Rory Bradshaw, who teaches yoga in prisons to help stop violence. Ben says that health and fitness should be about building a community, not just trying to be perfect alone. He hopes that more young men will see these positive messages and feel good about themselves. If you are struggling with eating or mental health issues, there are organizations that can help.